I have an advantage

Today I met a friend at our local donut shop. I guessed that that he would be there... and I knew he was hitting tough times... the sure sign is when collecting cans and bottles becomes a necessary part of survival...

I brought him half of what I had for dinner last night. He was so thankful for the gift and for being thought of...

I have the advantage of knowing people who struggle with life every day. At some point we move from identification and sharing to wanting to see the realities that they are struggling with transformed. The hunger in the prayer, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven". This keeps me on my knees, gives me clear reasons for fasting and prayer; Only God knows where this will lead.

The first Wave of avoidance.

Yesterday I bought a Burrito. I had it cut in half so I would be prepared to share it. The truth was I was hungry and had waited way too long for lunch -- two hours too long. When I saw Robert I knew that he would be grateful for a half a Burrito... but I kept on stepping... I was hungry... so is he...

The goal is not legalism or self-condemnation... but rather a deeper sense of awareness which is very connected to healthy spirituality... I ate the whole thing too fast and ended up with a little ache in the stomach because of it...

Still my awareness of my own consumption is strengthened by my awareness of Robert... a person who I now know by name... It is a grace to share... and I hope that I get to share with Robert at another time... This awareness gives me another motivation to start again -- for both of our wellbeing.

Food and Sorrow

The recent passing on to glory of my father-in-law set me in a context where the food I like was too plentiful and the temptation to use food as a source of comfort was hard to resist. It is a personal revelation that I sometimes use food to cover up feelings of loss, sadness, and sorrow.

This insight is both personal and a matter of the soul...

If I eat less I might learn to cry more and that I think is a good thing.

Sharing

I have been in Visalia more than LA in the last few days. My Father-in-"Love" is facing bravely the end of his days. I am tempted to bust my new diet by eating food for comfort. I continue to find sharing food a reward in and of itself. It is "More Blessed to give than recieve".

Life is too short not to share.